Vesak Day

All the Buddhas teach the "Dhamma" - the way nature is - the truth and truth has nothing to do with sectarianism, religions, yanas or doctrines. The Buddha's Teachings are Teachings of Truth and are timeless (akkaliko). These Teachings were taught by all the Buddhas. Enlightenment/liberation is not the monopoly of Siddhartha Gautama. Truth has no copy right and anyone can become Enlightened. There were Enlightened beings in the past and there will be Enlightened beings in the future. The Dhamma describes how nature works - These Teachings are universal and timeless (akkaliko). The Teachings are for the earnest who SEE them within themselves and outside. The Teachings are our true refuge. One takes refuge in the timeless Teachings of Truth, one does not start conducting rites-rituals of blindly worshipping a particular person, even if the teachings have manifested through that person. It is not Siddhartha Gotama Saranam Gaccami . It is not taking refuge in the person of Siddharta Gotama. One takes refuge in the ENLIGHTENED BEINGS titled the "BUDDHA", whose wisdom "Bodhi" - is the Teachings, the Truth. Hence, Buddham saranam gachami! TO THE BUDDHA (The Enlightened Being) we take Refuge! The word 'Buddha' means 'The Enlightened One," it is not the name of a person. Again how does one take refuge in the Enlightened One? How does one take refuge in the Dhamma? How does one take refuge in the Sangha - the assembly of Enlightened beings? BY LIVING THE TEACHINGS OF THE TRUTH, The Dhamma! We must NOT let rites and rituals to overwhelm the Dhamma, burying it within the tentacles of chants and offerings, so much so that the Teachings are forgotten. The Buddha referred to the people who heard Him and really went into the Teachings simply as Dhammiko, Dhammattho, Dhammachan, Dhammavihari, Dhammim (one who lives the teachings, one who goes into the teachings). The Buddha taught the 'art of living'. He never established any 'ism'. He never instructed any rite or rituals, any blind or empty formalities. Instead, He taught us to just observe reality 'as it is'. He said one must look within and SEE 'what is'. The Buddha declared: Be A Light Unto Yourself Let the Dhamma be our Guide, our Refuge and the way to live.